STOCKTON - The Pacific women's volleyball team needed the full five games to get its first Big West Conference victory of the season on Friday.

The Tigers came back to defeat Cal State Fullerton 25-22, 14-25, 20-25, 25-13, 15-13 before a festive crowd of 1,058 at Spanos Center. Pacific (13-2, 1-1 Big West) has won two matches since its surprising loss at UC Davis to open conference play last Saturday. The Titans (6-10, 0-3) were superb in the second and third games but didn't offer much resistance in the fourth game, before a thrilling final set.

Pacific coach Greg Gibbons said he was pleased with how his team handled adversity in its second Big West match.

"This is part of a learning process. We had the wheels coming off a little bit or a lot bit," Gibbons said. "Unlike in Davis, I thought the girls never gave up and refocused, kept grinding and finished really solidly."

After the Tigers fell behind, Gibbons unleashed a two-setter look with senior Hannah Clancy, who picked up apart Cal State Fullerton's defense with 36 assists and played superb defense with 26 digs, playing alongside freshman Kimmy Whitson, who had 16 assists and three blocks over the final half of the match. Gibbons said Whitson's energy and athleticism were needed against the Titans, who had Pacific out of rhythm in Games 2 and 3.

"We're always told to be ready for anything," Whitson said. "So I came in with a lot of energy and just tried to do my best."

Junior outside hitter Megan Birch led Pacific with 20 kills, while freshman opposite Kat Schulz had 10 kills and set a career-high with 25 digs. Sophomore middle blocker Gillian Howard had 10 kills and five blocks.

"This win was very important emotionally," Clancy said. "We have built a great record overall, but Big West is the battle we have to do well in. Now that we have the first (Big West) win over with, we can focus on playing our game and winning conference."